Sunday, January 31, 2010

When heaven meets the earth, we will have no use for numbers to measure who we are and what we're worth. When heaven meets the earth, we will have no use for mirrors to tell us who to be and where we fit into this awkward point of view.

Go be that starving artist you’re afraid to be. Open up that journal and get poetic finally. Volunteer. Suck it up and travel. You were not born here to work and pay taxes. You were put here to be part of a vast organism to explore and create. Stop putting it off. The world has much more to offer than what’s on 15 televisions at TGI Fridays. Take pictures. Scare people. Shake up the scene. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I did some serious driving Sunday through Wednesday of this week: Fayetteville to Branson to Fayetteville to Eureka Springs to Fayetteville to Kansas City to Fayetteville, and therefore did some serious music listening.

So because of the fact that:

I spent tons of time with my iPod

I haven't posted in almost a week

I have a growing crack in my windshield that I don't feel like getting taken care of on a rainy Saturday

nobody likes the shitty art I do(except for you, except for you)and I don’t need a drink to feel complete(completely true, around you)you hid around the corner with a white sheet on(I had no clue, and you said ‘boo!’)and we lied in the street in the drunk of the night(and you’re scared, yeah well I’m scared too)

and you’re voice is now my favorite sound

and you’re name is now my favorite noun

and wherever you’re at is my favorite town

(even if it’s the shittiest town around)

nobody likes the Jellyfish Bandits(except for me, except for you)and all the skeletons in your closet(I love them too, I love them too)we can lie in bed all day long(nothing to do, I like the view)and at the end of the day you’ll be sailing away(please don’t worry because I’m right behind you)

we could be famous artists or famous art thieveseither way I’m cool with it

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

...colleges being nothing but grooming schools for the middleclass non-identity which usually finds its perfect expression on the outskirts of the campus in rows of well-to-do houses with lawns and television sets is each living room with everybody looking at the same thing and thinking the same thing at the same time while the Japhies of the world go prowling in the wilderness...

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Friday, January 8, 2010

Recently, I can't stop looking online at pictures of cool rooms and houses and wanting really badly to have my own house to do whatever I want with. Then today I found this and it may possibly be my favorite find thus far:

the deep grey-brown woods and spiral staircase and library-like built-in bookshelves and bed all cozy underneath with big, heavy curtains and a window right across from the bed. I love the two-story columns and muted look of the whole thing against the bright whiteness. I even like the horns and the cow skull in the back because for some reason they look pretty to me and not creepy in any way. It appears unkempt and disheveled, yet strategic and organized too. It looks so romantic and masculine all at the same time.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I unexpectedly got to see Paper Route at the Ryman in October. They are incredible live and i found these really cool videos of them playing some of my favorite songs of theirs in this really amazing house. It's seamless and wonderful.

"that we ought to give ourselves up to God, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned."

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

i hate how hopeless sounding these lyrics are, but i think speech debelle is incredible. she was homeless and lived in hostels for four years and then was signed to big dada. i love how she combines rap with atypical instruments. it kinda reminds me of the acoustic thugz mansion. plus i love british rappers.

My favorite song off her newest record. One of my favorite artists of all time.

25. Strawberry Swing : Coldplay

Saw them in LA this summer from front row and it blew my mind. Truly greatest concert I've been to.

24. Your Love Never Fails : Chris McClarney

He sounds not white.

23. Sleepyhead : Run Toto Run

I personally think their cover is better than Passion Pit's original.

22. Sing You To Sleep : Paper Route

Saw them in Nashville at the Ryman. Incredible show. For your own sake, start listening to Paper Route right now. You won't be disappointed.

21. As Tall As Cliffs : Margot & The Nuclear So and So's

If you don't listen to Margot, start doing so instantly. And start with this song. Released at the end of 2008 but possibly my favorite song of the year.

20. Buried In Winter : Jeff Pianki

A Rebekah Fess find from the Oakland House...I just think his sound is wonderful.

19. It Was Midnight : Tegan and Sara

I thought Sainthood was kind of lacking but I still love their music. That's all.

18. Florence Foster Jenkins : The Everyday Visuals

The music publishing company I worked for this summer represented The Visuals and seeing them perform this song live was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. They are so talented. Listen!

17. Funny The Way It Is : Dave Matthews Band

Another classic Dave album. Saw them perform this in Nashville and, of course, very very good. Solid single.

16. Poison & Wine : The Civil Wars

I'm recently obsessed with The Civil Wars duo and their little live album is such a tease. Life would be so good if they released a full length. I'm just sayin...

15. Falling Or Flying : Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Loooved this song and then heard it on Grey's during the glory days in the Oakland House and it made it even better (not a 2009 release).

14. Brooklyn Blurs : The Paper Raincoat

A summer discovery that I fell in love with quite quickly. All of their songs are amazing, this just happens to be a fav.

13. Moses : Patty Griffin

I've probably destroyed my vocal cords singing along to this song but Patty is one of my all-time favorite artists and I got the chance to see her this summer at The Greek in Los Feliz/Griffith Park. Allow me to recap: one of the greatest artists ever in one of the greatest venues ever. A 1996 release, so what.

12. 2000 Miles (The Pretenders Cover) : Coldplay

My favorite Christmas song this season. Again, not a 2009 release.

11. Hallelujah (Paramore Cover) : Vitamin String Quartet

I'm obsessed with the Vitamin String Quartet and this song was put on a mix cd made for me by a friend. Not a 2009 release but still loved it this year.

10. I Go To The Barn Because I Like The : Band of Horses

Old release, but the lyrics are so applicable.

9. Still Fighting It : Ben Folds University A Cappella

This whole record, really, could make my list.

8. Empire State of Mind : Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

This song blew my mind the first time I heard it. It continues to do so. He is a lyrical genius.

7. Gone Away : Lucy Schwartz

I just like it.

6. Falling : Florence + The Machine

I love Florence and their freaky sound.

5. Mykonos : Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes had done it for me again.

4. The Outsiders : Needtobreathe

Another entire record that I could put on my list. Credit goes to Spencer Nohe for introducing them to me long ago.

3. Just Not Each Other : William Fitzsimmons

His was a concert I looked forward to all summer and he finally played the Hotel Cafe a week before I went back to KC. It was amazing and the Hotel Cafe was paaacked and we were all sitting on the floor at the front of the stage and it was such a cool feeling. He sounds even better live.

2. Eet : Regina Spektor

I think she is brilliant and incredibly quirky/freaky and I loved this album.

1. Lisztomania : Phoenix

The standard Phoenix credit...I had to. Phoenix is all my boss talked about this summer and I can't believe I missed their show in LA. Anyway, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix deserves all of the accolades it receives.